Changes in equine hindgut bacterial populations during oligofructose-induced laminitis.
Abstract: In the horse, carbohydrate overload is thought to play an integral role in the onset of laminitis by drastically altering the profile of bacterial populations in the hindgut. The objectives of this study were to develop and validate microbial ecology methods to monitor changes in bacterial populations throughout the course of experimentally induced laminitis and to identify the predominant oligofructose-utilizing organisms. Laminitis was induced in five horses by administration of oligofructose. Faecal specimens were collected at 8 h intervals from 72 h before to 72 h after the administration of oligofructose. Hindgut microbiota able to utilize oligofructose were enumerated throughout the course of the experiment using habitat-simulating medium. Isolates were collected and representatives identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The majority of these isolates collected belonged to the genus Streptococcus, 91% of which were identified as being most closely related to Streptococcus infantarius ssp. coli. Furthermore, S. infantarius ssp. coli was the predominant oligofructose-utilizing organism isolated before the onset of lameness. Fluorescence in situ hybridization probes developed to specifically target the isolated Streptococcus spp. demonstrated marked population increases between 8 and 16 h post oligofructose administration. This was followed by a rapid population decline which corresponded with a sharp decline in faecal pH and subsequently lameness at 24-32 h post oligofructose administration. This research suggests that streptococci within the Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex may be involved in the series of events which precede the onset of laminitis in the horse.
Publication Date: 2006-04-21 PubMed ID: 16623745DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2005.00975.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research looks into the changes that occur in the bacterial populations of a horse’s hindgut when it develops laminitis due to an overload of carbohydrates, focusing specifically on oligofructose-utilizing organisms. The study used microbial ecology methods to monitor this change and found that the bacterium Streptococcus infantarius ssp. coli was the most dominant oligofructose-utilizing organism present before lameness set in.
Objective and Method
- This study was conducted to understand the changes in the bacterial populations within the horse’s hindgut during laminitis, a condition often triggered by an overload of carbohydrates.
- An attempt was made to identify the dominant bacteria which utilize oligofructose, a carbohydrate believed to play a crucial role in triggering this condition.
- For this study, laminitis was experimentally induced in five horses through the administration of oligofructose, and faecal specimens were collected at regular eight-hour intervals.
- A habitat-simulating medium was then used to culture and enumerate the hindgut microbiota capable of utilizing oligofructose.
- The isolated bacteria were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Main Findings
- The majority of the cultured isolates belonged to the genus Streptococcus, with 91% being most closely related to Streptococcus infantarius ssp. coli.
- This species was the most dominant oligofructose-utilizing organism isolated before the onset of lameness, which is a symptom of laminitis.
- Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes were developed to target the isolated Streptococcus spp. which revealed a significant population increase between 8 and 16 hours post oligofructose administration.
- However, this was followed by a sharp decline in the population which coincided with a fall in faecal pH and lameness setting in.
Conclusion
- The investigation suggests a role of Streptococcus bovis/equinus complex in the development of laminitis in horses. This emphasizes the need for further research into the involvement and management of hindgut microbial populations in equine health.
Cite This Article
APA
Milinovich GJ, Trott DJ, Burrell PC, van Eps AW, Thoefner MB, Blackall LL, Al Jassim RA, Morton JM, Pollitt CC.
(2006).
Changes in equine hindgut bacterial populations during oligofructose-induced laminitis.
Environ Microbiol, 8(5), 885-898.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-2920.2005.00975.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Australian Equine Laminitis Research Unit, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia. g.milinovich@uq.edu.au
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Bacteria / classification
- Bacteria / isolation & purification
- DNA, Bacterial / analysis
- Disease Models, Animal
- Feces / microbiology
- Foot Diseases / etiology
- Foot Diseases / microbiology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
- Intestines / microbiology
- Oligosaccharides / administration & dosage
- Oligosaccharides / metabolism
- Phylogeny
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- RNA, Bacterial / analysis
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / analysis
Citations
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